Kaepernick Brilliant After Power Outage, But 49ers Come Up Short

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NEW ORLEANS—

San Francisco managed to make it an interesting game, but Baltimore held on and pulled off their second-ever Super Bowl win.

For the 49ers, it was their first-ever Super Bowl loss.

The Ravens were dominating the game up until a power outage during the 3rd quarter cut the lights at the Superdome.

Baltimore led 28-6, including scoring on the kickoff to start the second half. But, the 49ers charged back after the 34 minute delay, scoring 17 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter.

Kaepernick connected with Michael Crabtree to score San Francisco’s first touchdown of the game. Crabtree managed to break a few tackles on his way to pay dirt.

The 49ers forced the Ravens to put on the ensuing drive, allowing SF to try and close the gap even further.

Soon, Frank Gore scored on a touchdown run and brought the 49ers within striking distance, with a score of 28-20.

Then, Ray Rice fumbled on the Ravens’ next drive, allowing the 49ers a chance to even the score. However, SF’s drive fizzled and they were forced to try for a field goal. Beleaguered kicker David Akers missed his first attempt from 39-yards out, but a running-into-a-kicker penalty gave him a second shot.

Akers then drilled his next kick, bringing the 49ers within 5 points.

Kaepernick got a chance to do his trademark “Kaepernicking” in the 4th quarter, when he called his own number from 15 yards out, running in for a TD. SF couldn’t convert on a 2-point conversion attempt, leaving the score at 31-29.

It all came down to a 4th and goal attempt from the 5 yard line with 1:50 to go for the 49ers, however. Kaepernick was blitzed and had to get rid of the ball quickly. He threw it in the direction of Crabtree, but the ball fell out of reach.

The Ravens managed to run the clock down to 0:10 on their ensuing possession. They then took a safety in order to run more time off the clock.

San Francisco got the ball back, but with only 0:04 to go. Kick returner Ted Ginn Jr. only had time to try and run it back for a touchdown. He couldn’t and the game ended.

The loss is San Francisco’s first Super Bowl loss, after having won 5 other times in between 1981 and 1995. Baltimore last won the Super Bowl in 2000.